Rethinking Acrylic: Radical Solutions For Exploiting The World's Most Versatile Medium (Spiral-bound)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: soft gel, absorbent ground, micaceous iron oxide, Clear Tar Gel, Acrylic Glazing Liquid, Cobalt Teal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Rethinking Acrylic shows readers how to use acrylic paint in a variety of ways. Acrylic can mimic oil paint, watercolor, gouache and encaustic; it can be applied in subtle transparent washes, or troweled as a heavy thick impasto; it can be as transparent as glass or as dense and black as tar. Because of its ever-changing state, the author and contributors are covering the most popular techniques for acrylic, making them accessible to the contemporary artist and crafter thorough a variety of mini-demonstrations followed by full demonstrations that show how to transform those techniques into finished paintings.

Takes an in-depth approach to the most popular techniques with 27 mini-demonstrations and 10 full demonstrations that show how to incorporate the featured techniques into completed paintings.

About the Author

Patti Brady's paintings, prints and hand-painted books have been exhibited nationally and reviewed by the New York Times. She is currently the Working Artists Program Director for Golden Artist Colors, Inc., and has lectured and taught on the use of Golden acrylics at a number of universities and art schools around the globe. More information about this program can be found at www.goldenpaints.com. More information on Patti's work can be found at www.pattibrady.com.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 160 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; Spi edition (December 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600610137
• ISBN-13: 978-1600610134
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,748 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for cutting edge acrylic product techniques to date!, December 30, 2008

By	Cheryl "a creative mama" (USA) - See all my reviews

I have long been an admirer of Patti's work and waited for this book to come out. It does not disappoint!

Patti so freely shares her techniques for creating those lovely layers of depth and color that I love in her paintings and have always wondered how she does it. Not only does she share techniques, there are many other talented artists sharing techniques I would never have dreamed of trying.

At last, I know what all those GACs and TARS and GELS will do! The use of all compounds from Golden are covered, as well as beautiful samples of how it looks in a finished piece. (Patti is a teacher for Golden so you can expect that she uses their products to create her pieces.)

A few of the techniques covered are:

Watermedia effects
subtractive techniques
pours
acrylic encaustic
acrylic image transfers...and more. Each chapter features an artist whose are is well versed in the subject, and each artist shares his/her technique in achieving the look.

I can't wait to go the art supply store this afternoon to buy some gels and start playing. If you are looking for an acrylic technique book, this one covers many techniques, as well as how to use all those gels that I have not seen in other books, including Acrylic Revolution which is also a great book. If you are an acrylic painter then this is a valuable book for your library!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Artist/Teacher, February 4, 2009

By	Mark E. Flowers "flowersm" (Asheville NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Actually sat down Sunday and read the book from cover to cover.(I never do that) Excellent and thorough. This is a great manual for the experienced acrylic painters who want to know more than what's normally out there. It already has me thinking about how to incorporate the techniques into my work.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not too shabby :), February 15, 2009

By	Kevin J. Klein - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Finally a book that is at least more comprehensive than other modern acrylic painting books...Great photographs and explanations.
I only wish there were more step by step techniques and maybe a more in depth look at the other artists featured in the book. For instance, Ulysses Jackson's work is featured and barely explained....Its a tease!!
Having met and talked to some of Golden's artists gives me a one up on their processes, but im sure others would like more info....That being said, i realize this is a first book and only so much can go into it.
But big thumbs up to Patti Brady for bringing some really underexploited techniques to the public!

FYI, it seems all techniques use exclusively Golden products...not a problem for me, its my favorite paint! Just be aware that some of these gels will set you back some money, can be a tad hard to find(i believe the garnet gel is discontinued)and they are used unsparingly.
I can tell you that judging from what patti uses in several projects that the cost of supply alone can run upwards of 50 dollars for one painting.
I highly reccomend this book as a new standard in acrylic painting, just be prepared to spend some money!!